Major Problems That Escalated Amid the COVID-19 Crisis

Ever since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in 2020, virtually everything was put on hold. Media houses around the world constantly bombarded the public with news about the pandemic and how deadly it was, causing a massive scare. While this was ongoing, several other problems escalated, but they were grossly underreported by the media.

1. Poverty

While the coronavirus pandemic hammered the US economy, poverty and unemployment skyrocketed. Recession widened the gap between the poor and rich, and families at the bottom of the economic ladder were hit the hardest. According to the US Census Bureau, the poverty rate in 2020 was 11.4% higher than that of 2019, causing severe hardship for families. Many low-income earners were unequipped to work remotely during the peak of social isolation, making them more likely to lose employment.

Although the relief and stimulus packages implemented later in 2020 helped reduce poverty figures in 2021, the trend could be temporary. Considering the fact that many pandemic-era benefits are ending, one can only wonder where it would leave struggling American families.    

2. Substance Abuse

The pandemic created a lot of stress and uncertainty, making many people resort to alcoholism and substance misuse. According to Aaron Black, a DUI lawyer in phoenix, ”Good people sometimes find themselves in bad situations.” In this case, they find themselves on the wrong side of the law due to the anxiety caused by social isolation in the pandemic. An analysis by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that over 13% of Americans reported increasing or starting substance to cope with pandemic-related emotions and stress.

In addition, substance overdoses have spiked since the pandemic. This increase was reported in quantity and frequency of substance use, including opioids. A report by the American Medical Association (AMA) revealed that over 40 states saw significant rises in opioid-related deaths. The pandemic-related reason for the increase in drug overdose can be attributed to isolation. People living alone during the pandemic were particularly at risk because there was no one to call 911 or administer an opioid reversal medication.

Also, the pandemic made it more difficult for people to access necessary medical care to aid recovery from opioid use. This was because some community-based organizations and clinics decreased their services during the early stage of the pandemic. Medical systems were so overwhelmed that people could not access care, and physicians concentrated majorly on COVID-19 cases. 

3. Mental Health Challenges

The coronavirus pandemic and the need to slow the spread of the virus showed the social relevance of different aspects of our lives, including recreation, transportation, employment, education, and entertainment. It also highlighted the underlying weakness in the social support systems for workers, students, families, and at-risk populations. Although there were problems of social isolation and loneliness facing some of the American population before the pandemic, social distancing, quarantine, and stay-at-home orders worsened the issue.

Human interactions were limited, which was worse for the 28% of the US population who live alone. It meant little or no human contact for months. This resulted in severe emotional crises and mental health problems. Seniors, low-income earners, and people in congregate living centers like prisons and nursing homes were disproportionately victims of the pandemic. 

Also, while the pandemic was spreading across the United States in early May 2020, hospital emergency department visits by suicide-prone adolescents were on the rise. A CDC report showed that suicide attempts surged among children aged 12 to 17 years, especially girls. The rise could be attributed to social isolation. The lack of connection to schools, friends, and teachers, anxiety about their health, increase in substance abuse, and the poor economic state of families took a toll on these adolescents. A study indicated that the figures for suicide attempts among the American population are likely higher in reality. Many people were hesitant to seek care at hospitals at the beginning of the pandemic for fear of contracting the virus.

4. Domestic Violence

According to a report released by the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice (NCCCJ), domestic violence incidents in the United States grew by 8.1% after lockdown orders. Every form of data from health records, emergency hotline registries, domestic violence crime reports, and police call logs showed evidence of a spike in domestic violence.

There may be more cases than reported because domestic violence often goes unreported. In many cases, victims feel ashamed to speak up or fear that they may not be taken seriously by law enforcement. Because of the lockdown, many survivors were trapped indoors with their abusers, making it more difficult to report or have others intervene. The United Nations refers to this as ”the shadow pandemic” of violence against women during the pandemic.